Pune-based ‘Gennova Biopharmaceuticals’ is developing an mRNA vaccine for Omicron which will be the first of its kind in India and is expected to be manufactured in two to three months. The Coronavirus cases have been spreading like wildfire in the nation due to the rise in the number of Omicron cases.
The Pune-based company has filed its data of phase 2 with the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation on Friday. the vaccine is being developed for the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 and is expected to be ready for human clinical trials soon subjected to the regulatory approvals, according to the statement of a spokesperson.
The vaccine under development is an mRNA vaccine in which a small part of the virus’s RNA (genetic code) will be injected into the person to get the immune response of the recipient stimulated. The vaccine will contain instructions for the human cells to help in the production of proteins that will copy part of the coronavirus stimulating the immune system into action. The vaccine will not contain any actual virus.
When the interim clinical data of the Phase 1 data was submitted to the CDSCO for the vaccine HGCO19, it was found to be safe, tolerable, and immunogenic. Gennova is carrying out the Phase 2 trials in around 10 to 15 sites and the trials for Phase 3 will be carried out in 22-27 sites. DBT-ICMR Clinical trial network is being used by the company for this particular study. The vaccine is expected to be ready in about a month or two. This will another feather in the cap of achievement for the country, as per Dr. VK Paul, chief of the COVID-19 task force.
The thermos-stable vaccine, according to Dr. Paul, which is being made using the existing cold-chain infrastructure could be useful beyond the Coronavirus as well. The latest variant of the deadly virus, Omicron infects the cells at a rate higher than all the other variants. A booster dose of an mRNA Covid vaccine would be our best shot against the protection from the variant.
Pfizer has also announced earlier this month that the company is working towards developing a vaccine to target the Omicron specifically and it would be completed by the end of March this year. CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla said that the company has started the manufacturing of the doses. He also mentioned that the vaccine is also expected to target the other variants that are circulating around the world.
The vaccination is our best shot at being immune against the Coronavirus. Governments all over the world have imposed Covid appropriate behavior to stop the spread of the virus.
